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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN

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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
Class Code: 519E
Category: Science & Engineering


Definition

Performs technical duties in support of professional environmental staff in the following areas:  1) reviewing and processing applications for environmental permits or certification such as water rights, hazardous waste, public water supply, hydraulic projects, etc.  Explaining and interpreting pertinent regulations and procedures to applicants and others; 2) conducting literature research and evaluating researched documents to determine inclusion and value to an environmental program library or to support environmental activities such as developing required quarterly reports or various Environmental Protection agency cooperative agreements; and 3) assisting professional staff by conducting field inspections or field investigations by collecting, analyzing and organizing environmental documents and/or environmental data. 

Typical Work

Processes various types of environmental regulatory permit applications, reviews them for accuracy, completeness and compliance with code standards; researches existing permits to preclude possible conflict; plots legal descriptions and geographic locations on a map; prepares public notice as required and checks actual publication for accuracy and sufficiency; prepares field examination package;  

Assists professional staff in field work such as sampling, testing, calibration, etc.;  

Tracks environmental documents with computer system and evaluates, interprets and analyzes data;  

Analyzes data within the tracking system to determine completeness, correctness and compiles reports for use by professional staff or outside agencies;  

Collects data from field or office sources to be translated into computer for tracking;  

Responds to general inquiries from public and other interested parties;  

Compiles and maintains environmental informational library;  

Assists in inspections of industrial and municipal discharges for compliance with their respective permits by collecting samples, reviewing operating procedures and standard practices being administered and verifying accuracy of measuring devices and recorders; assists in sampling design and data evaluation;  

Leads and supervises staff in collecting data necessary to support an environmental project or reporting requirements;  

Receives and responds to requests from the public regarding status of permit applications; explains permit application procedures; assists applicants in filling out forms;  

Compiles data and prepares recurring reports regarding number, type and location of permit applications; sends these reports to interested agencies;  

Collects field samples or data for environmental studies;  

Prepares public notice to meet statutory publication requirements; prepares a field examination package including such items as maps, legal description, information or existing water rights and/or unusual problems within the area;  

Provides advice, guidance and assistance to the public in the preparation of applications; answers questions concerning existing water rights and flood control zone permits; assigns application numbers and records them in appropriate log books; spots location of point of withdrawal or diversion on maps;  

Performs other work as required. 

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:  principles and practices of environmental technology; factors contributing to water/air pollution; surveying procedures; drafting, arithmetic, geometry, illustrating techniques; library and publications reference and retrieval systems; principles of supervision.   

Ability to:  understand and solve problems; make computations of quantities, stream flows and wide variety of other typical technical problems; draft maps and working drawings accurately, write clear and concise reports; search out and identify appropriate published and other reference material relating to environmental projects or problems; lead or supervise other technical staff. 

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification.  It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Desirable Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.  

AND 

Two years of technical or third clerical-level experience in an environmental agency or office.   

College-level course work in environmental, physical or natural sciences, or closely related field may be substituted, year for year, for the required experience. 

Class Specification History

New class (Environmental Technician 3) effective May 5, 1972.
Revise class. General revision adopted November 10, 1978.
Revise class. Revises distinguishing characteristics; adopted June 15, 1979.
Revise class. Revises definition, minimum qualifications, deletes distinguishing characteristics; adopted May 13, 1988.
Revise class. Revises title (formerly Environmental Technician 2), definition; adopted July 14, 1989.
Revise class. Revises class code (formerly 62920), general revision; adopted May 10, 2007 effective July 10, 2007.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.